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Health risks from pneumonia are potentially more dangerous than those related to the flu, but large segments of the population aren't being vaccinated against it — even those at highest risk of contracting the disease. They include infants, the elderly and those with chronic respiratory problems like asthma. Streptococcus pneumoniae (“pneumococcus”) is the bacterium responsible for almost a million cases and more than 50,000 deaths from pneumonia every year — twice as many as the number of...

[Press Release] PR Contact: Adam Bailine, Vice President, Marketing & Communications (202) 466-7643, ext. 254 abailine@aafa.org AAFA Co-Sponsored Report Provides Recommendations for Food Allergy Research, Treatment, and Policy With support from the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine releases a monumental report that makes recommendations to increase our understanding of and approaches to food allergies November...

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported our important work this past year. We are honored to provide people with asthma and allergies life-saving information and support. Together, we are improving lives every day.

If you have health insurance through Medicare, coverage for medicines is not automatic – you must sign up for a Medicare Part D plan. Here is what you need to know to enroll before the Dec. 7 deadline.

If you think you’re allergic to penicillin, but have never been tested, ask for a referral to an allergist to confirm the allergy. Many physicians whose patients have “penicillin allergy” in their charts don’t know that frequently, a penicillin allergy diagnosis is given to a child as the result of a rash but without any follow up testing.

A study presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI) Annual Scientific Meeting found adolescents with asthma were twice as likely to smoke as kids without asthma. And they continue to smoke well into their teen years, even though they know smoking is particularly bad for their lungs.

Living in a food desert – an urban area where it is difficult to buy affordable or good-quality fresh food – means you’re at increased risk to have asthma. Children who were studied who did not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables had higher rates of asthma than children who did have access.

AAFA recently hosted a Twitter chat to share tips about how to prevent getting sick during cold and flu season when you have asthma – as well as what to do if you get sick. Two of the most important things you can do to stay healthy are: Get a flu shot Wash your hands and keep your hands away from your face, so you are not infected. If you do fall ill, stay on top of your asthma action plan and call your doctor. You can download an asthma action plan from Get Smart About Asthma . This...

If you are a federal employee, consider making a difference in the lives of people with asthma and allergies with an easy donation through your paycheck. You likely know someone with asthma and allergies – or perhaps you are affected. According to the CDC, 1 in 14 people have asthma. In children, asthma is the leading cause for missed school days. Allergic disease is rising, affecting as many as 30% of adults and 40% of children. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) was...

Two prescription benefit managers are dropping certain asthma and allergy drugs from their formularies in 2017. If you take these medicines and have your prescriptions covered by CVS Caremark or Express Scripts, other medicines will be substituted instead.

Will you take a moment and tell the world how AAFA has helped you manage asthma and allergies by sharing your story with GreatNonprofits? GreatNonprofits rates nonprofit organizations like ours. Your review allows us to gain visibility and support, so we can assist other families with asthma and allergies.

This post discusses claims that caffeine can be used to treat asthma symptoms. It is part of our “ AAFA Explains ” series looking at complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) aimed at asthma and allergies. The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) wants to guide you as you decide between choices that may be “likely safe” or “potentially unsafe.” What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic disease that causes your airways to become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. There is no cure...